Improvement in harvesters



J. 'F. EARL.

Harvester.

Patented Nov. 10,1868.

lmllllllll v l u Pznzas. Fhclo-Liihugnphen Washinpcn. n.c.

of the guard-fingers,

nn-in axle upon which the gatwt 5 (tithe.

JAMES F. EARL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Letters Patent No. 83,839,dated Not-mater 10, 1868.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making past of thesame.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES F. EARL, of San Francisco, county of SanFrancisco, and State of California, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Reaping-Machines; and I do hereby declare the followingto be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, referencebeinghad to the accompanying drawings, making a part of thisspecification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of aharvesting-machine embracing my improvements;

Figure 2 is a vertical section in line with the bevelwheel shaft,showing the arrangement of rh'iving-gears, 8m;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the rakegearing;

F'gure 4 is a heads detached Figure 5 is a similar view of one of therake-teeth detached from the head;

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are detached views of a portion of thecutting-apparatus, showing the guard-plate or frame, 860.; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the rakeplan view of thesickle-lever.

Similar letters, whenever used, refer to corresponding parts in all thefigures.

My invention relates to that class of reaping-machines usuallydenominated thrust-machines, from the fact that the team, pelled overthe ground,

by which the machine is prois arranged behind the cuttingapparatus, anddirectly in the path thereof, instead of at the side orin front of thecutters, as in the ordinary draught-machines; and

It consists in a noyel means of efl'ecting the vertical adjustment ofthe cutting-apparatus and grain-platform withoutinterfering with theaction of the cutter and rake-actuatin g mechanism, as hereinafter setforth. Also, in the construction of the rake, and the arrangement of itsactuating-mechanism.

It also consists in a novel manner offraming a portion at the point ofattachment of the sickle-drivin g lever, for enclosing the springs forrelieving the jar of the cutters and permitting the removal of thesickle. Also, in the particular construction and manner of supportingand adjusting the reelshaft.

It further consists in a novel adj ustment of the guiding orsteering-wheel relative to the main frame and cutters, for adapting themachine to hill-side work, as hereinafter set forth.

To enable others to understand and use my invention, I proceed todescribe the same, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich- A represents a rectangular mainframe, of any desiredconstruction, and made either to enclose the main carrying anddriving-wheels B B','as represented in the drawing, or arranged betweenthe same, as may be preferred. In this instance, I have shown theforward transverse bar A of the frame as constituting the wheels B aremounted.

G is the pole or tongue, hinged or pivoted at w to the main frame, andextending forward of the pivot to a curved adjusting-guide, I), by meansof perforations and a pin, in which the ngle of relation of the tongueand frame may be regulated or set, as desired.

The longitudinal bars of the main frame project in advance of the axleA, and the two (A) intermediate between the carrying-wheels, havemounted upon them the boxes D D, in which the bevel-wheel andpinionshaft are mounted. These boxes are provided with tubular ears orprojections embracing the said shaft, and forming bearings or supportsfor guide-blocks E which serve to support and regulate the adjustment ofthe cutter-frame, as hereinafter set forth.

The cutter-frame is composed of a horizontal framework, constituting thegrain-bed or platform, to the forward edge of which thecutting-apparatus is connected, and upon and over which the rakes Work,and of the upright framing F F, embracing the blocks E, and adapted tobe adjusted thereon for varying the height of the cutters from theground to any extent that-may be desirable or necessary. Instead of theconstruction represented, the forward ends of bars A may be providedeach with a clasp working over single uprights on the cutter-frame, orwith a clevis working in grooved uprights, and secured at any desiredheight or point of adjustment by means of perforations in said uprights,and pins passing through the uprights and guide-blocks, as representedin the drawings. By this construction and arrangement the cutter-frameis adapted to be adjusted upon the bevel-Wheel shaft.

The arrangement of gearing is as follows:

The drive-wheel B has secured to it a large spurwheel which meshes withand drives a pinion on one end of the bcvel-wheel shaft, the oppositeend of said shaft terminating in the box D, and being armed with thebevel-wheel G, as shown in figs. 1 and 2.

G is a bevel-pinion and crank-shaft mounted at its lower end in a fixedbearing, H, attached to the cutterframe, at or near the bottom thereof,and at its upper end in a swivelling bOX ,'I, mounted in hearings in boxD, in line with the bevel-wheel shaft. An adjustable screw, 1, whichforms one of the bearings of the swivelling-box, serves to maintain thebearings of said box in proper relation to each other, and to compensatefor wear. By this arrangement the two shafts G G are kept in properrelation to each other, and, at the same time, the crank-shaft isallowed to roll around the bevel-wheel shaft as a centre, in theadjustment of the cutters and cutter-frame. Shaft G is armed with abevel-pinion which engages with the bevel-wheel, and is made adjustableupon its shaft, to adapt it to the adjustment of the cutter-frame, beingmaintained at the required point by means of a set-screw or otherequivalent device.

The lower end of said pinion-shaft is provided with a crank andbevel-wheel, the former actuating the sickle-lever K, and the latterengaging with and driving a bevel-wheel on a horizontal shaft, G,through pensed with. Any desirednumber of rake-heads may be used,arranged in line with each other, upon parallelbelts traversing theplatform, as shown and de-. scribed.

' M is a reel-frame pivoted to uprights on the main frame, at a pointabove and in rear of the bevel-wheel shaft 01' pivotal centre of thecutter-frame.

N is a lever connected to the cutter-frame, and extending over the reartransverse bar of the reel-frame. A cord or chain, N, connected to leverN and to the reel-frame, passes under a pulley on the tongue, andextends around a shaft, N, mounted thereon, within convenient reach ofthe driver, and operated by him for raising aml depressing the cuttersand reel, as required. The arrangement of the centres of vibration ofsaid reel andcutter-frames is such as to produce a more rapid movementof the reel than of the sickle. By this arrangement the reel is betteradapted to the condition of the grain, as where the grain is short, itis necessary to bring the reel down closely to the cute ters inorder toetibct the proper reeling in of the same to the cutters; 'whereas, inlong grain, such proximity of the reel would tend rather to thrust itfrom the sickle, and would also interfere with its proper depositionupon the platform.

The reel-shaft O is made of light tubing, or it may be made ofsheet-metal, stiffened and strengthened by end-hubs and by a centralsleeve or tube and hub, 0; or, if desired, light sheet-metal may beused, rolled upon and tightly secured to a light rod of wood, which willserve to stiffen and support the same. Said shaft is mounted on shortstud-shafts on the reel-frame. The arms and heaters of the reel maybemade in any desired or usual way.

The rear end of the tongue or pole U is mounted upon a guiding-wheel, P,mounted in arms 0' attached to the lower end of an upright shaft, theupper end of which is provided with a lever, 1t, within reach of andcontrolled by the driver, for guiding the machine. Said uprightguide-wheel shaft has its bearings in a sleeve, T, attached to andturning with a horizontal shaft or pivot, b, mounted in bearings s s orupwhich, by proper arrangement of pulleys and cords, or chains, ashereinafter set forth, the required reciprocating movements are impartedto the rake-heads L.

The cutting-apparatus may be of any usual or preferred construction; butinstead of connecting the actuating-lever to one end of the sickle inthe ordinary way, I prefer to connectit at a point at or near the centreof its length. For the purpose of connecting the lever and sickle insuch manner, without obstructing the action of the latter, I frame anumber of the guards, (say four, more or less,) upon a slotted metalplate, 11, the form and arrangement of which are shown in thecross-section, fi 8, in such manner as to form a box to enclose andpermit end-play of the pendent staple V, through which the lever isconnected with the sickle-bar. At the outer ends of the box are springs\V, resting or abutting against the guards outside the framing, andacting upon the staple or lever at each end of its stroke to relieve thejar, and assist the sickle in starting upon the return stroke. The slota, in plate, permits the removal of the staple when it is desired totake out the sickle for sharpening, &c. i

The construction of the rake-heads L is shown in the detached view, ii".4, the same consisting of grooved blocks of metal or wood, adapted towork or slide between parallel bars or ways on the cutter-frame, andprovided with grooves or recesses, in which are placed the rake-teeth l.The teeth are provided at their heelends with projecting ears or pins 7,which work in grooves in the block or head L. Links I", connected to therake-heads and to the teeth I, serve to form a movable fulcrum uponwhich the teeth turn in being moved from a horizontal to a verticalposition, and rice rcrsa. The slots in the block, in which thetooth-pivots I work are so arranged as not to permit the teeth to bemoved beyond the vertical or nearly vertical position assumed by themwhen thrown up to remove the I grain.

m are adjustable irons arranged at opposite ends of the platform, andarmed with spurs, by the proper arrangement of which, so as to act uponthe heel-ends of the rake-teeth, said teeth are thrown up for raking offthe grain, and down for the return stroke, in a manner that will bereadily understood. The rakehcads are reciprocated by means of belts orstraps to which they are attached, the opposite ends of which arealternately wound upon and unwound from tubular drums a, mounted uponshafts 01..

These tll'lllllS are feathered at their rear ends, and are provided withsliding clutches, which serve to engage them alternately with the shafts'n', or with oppositely-rotating sheaves thereon, said sheaves or shaftsbeing driven by endless belts from a pulley on shaft above referredto.

O O are arms attached to the cutter-frame in rear of the rake-belts, andforming supports for bell-crank levers 0, armed with forks working inthe collars or hubs of the clutches referred to. These levers arecoiniected by a rod, 1), 'm such manner that they are operated together,the one being thrown out when the other is thrown in for reversing themovement of the rake-belt, audare operated upon alternately by therake-head it approaches the end of its stroke in either direction.

By means of a joint and set-screw or screws at the angle of thebell-crank levers, the angle of the two arms may be adjusted for varyingthe point at which the rake-head acts on the said lever. A notchedspring, q, at each end of the track, serves to properly hold the leveruntil acted upon by the rake-head.

' The rake-head is shown provided with teeth adapting it to work ineither direction, and to discharge the grain at either end of theplatform, as may be desired; but where it is only required to dischargethe grain at one end, one tooth in each rake-head may be diswith acurved rack, V, in which the teeth of a bevelpinion, V, mounted on thelower end of an upright shaft, T, engage. Said shaft T" is supported inbearings attached to the sleeve T, and is provided with a crank-arm, bymeans ofwhich the attendant is enabled to rotate the shaft, and therebyto turn the guidingwheel upon its horizontal shaft or pivot S, in suchmanner as to adjust the wheel and maintain it in a vertical position,irrespective of the position of the main frame when working on levelground or upon the hill-side. The upper bearing of shaft V is providedwith a notched rack in which a spring-catch attached to the crank-armengages for holding the guide-wheel at the desired point of adj ustmcnt.

I have shown the drivefis platibrm, and the devices for raising andlowering the cutters and reel, mounted upon or connected with thehorizontal pivot of the guide-wheel, so that as the latter is adjusted,the said platform is adjusted with it, and is maintained in a horizontalposition, with devices for adjusting the cutters and reel kept inconvenient relation thereto.

The advantage of this construction and arrangement hereinabove describedwill be readily understood. Heretofore ithas been difficult, if notaltogether impossible, with the elass ofmachiues herein descrilmd, tooperate efficiently and satisfactorily upon the hill side, whereas, bymy invention, this machine is not only adapted to the character of thesurface over which it is propelled,'but it is also adapted to beoperated back and forth upon the same side of the grain, and in eitherdirection to discharge the gavels at the stub-. ble-end of the platform,thereby avoiding the necessity rights upon the tongue. The rear bearingor upright s is extended above pivot or shaft S, and is provided ofpassing around a field of grain where the character of the ground mightrender such usual plan difficult or impracticable, and where, without myimprovements, it would be necessary, after cutting across a field ofgrain, to return the machine, without operating it, to the point ofstarting, thereby causing much loss of time.

Having now described my improvements,

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The vertical adjustment of the cutter-frame, relative to the mainframe, upon a pivot or shaft, in advance of the main axle, by means andsubstantially in the manner described.

2. The arrangement of the driving-gear, in combina tion with thevertically-adjustable cutter-frame, substantially as described, wherebythe height of said framemay be adjusted witho ut disturbing the workingrelation of the gear-shafts.

3. The rake-head, constructed as described, in combination with teethapplied thereto, and operating substantially as described.

4. The manner of actuating the rakes by means ot the straps or belts,and drums or rollers, and shiftingclutches, operating as described.

5. Operating the shifting-clutches, by means of the rake-head actingalternately thereon through the clutch-levers as described.

6. The slotted plate, to which the middle fingers are attached, formingthe box enclosing the springs, and permitting the withdrawal of thelever-staple and the removal of the sickle, as described.

7. The arrangement of the fulcrum of the reel-frame in rear of and abovethe pivot or axis aroimd which the sickle-frame is adjusted, incombination with means for simultaneously adjusting said frames, wherebythe relation of reel and sickle is varied when the height of cut isvaried, as described.

8. The hollow reel-shaft, provided with the end-hubs and with thecentral stiffening-sleeve and central hub, as described. I

9. The adjustment of the steering-wheel upon a horizontal axis or pivot,for the purpose of maintaining the same in a vertical position,irrespective of the position of the main frame and cutters.

10. The attachment of the drivers stand or seat andthe sickle-adjustingmechanism to the horizontal axis upon which the steering-wheel isadjusted, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. The combination, with the grain-platform, of a reciprocating rake,adapted to deliver the grain at either end of the platform, as setforth.

JAS. F. EARL.

Witnesses:

Emu. F. BROWN,

N. B. SMITH.

